Find out how popular the last name Biddle is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Biddle.

Biddle, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Biddle surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Biddle in America

Biddle is the 3840th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Biddle surname appeared 9,219 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Biddle.

We can also compare 2010 data for Biddle to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Biddle

The surname Biddle originated in England, specifically in the county of Shropshire, during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bydel," which means "summoner" or "messenger." This occupation was related to the role of a beadle, who was responsible for delivering summonses or announcements on behalf of the church or local authorities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Biddle can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England conducted in 1086. The entry "Byddel" is recorded in this historical document, indicating the presence of the name during the Norman conquest.

In the 13th century, various spellings of the surname can be found in historical records, such as "Bidel," "Biddel," and "Biddill." These variations reflect the phonetic nature of the name's pronunciation and the influence of regional dialects.

The surname Biddle has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded figures was John Biddle (1615-1662), an English Unitarian scholar and theologian who faced persecution for his religious beliefs during the English Civil War.

Another prominent figure was Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844), an American financier and the third president of the Second Bank of the United States. He played a significant role in shaping the country's early financial system and was involved in a highly publicized conflict with President Andrew Jackson over the bank's status.

In the literary world, Constance Biddle (1861-1933), an American writer and philanthropist, was known for her works on gardening and her involvement in promoting cultural activities in Philadelphia.

The Biddle family also had a presence in the military, with individuals like James Biddle (1783-1848), a naval officer who served in the War of 1812 and the Barbary Wars, and John Biddle (1819-1900), a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

Another notable figure was Dorothy Biddle (1890-1977), a Canadian activist and writer who advocated for women's rights and was a prominent member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Throughout history, the surname Biddle has been associated with various locations, including Biddle's Rift in Shropshire, England, and Biddle's Corner, a historic crossroads in Pennsylvania, United States.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Biddle

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Biddle.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Biddle was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Biddle has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Biddle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Biddle, please contact us.

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